Electric terminal block



May 16, 1961 H, ZEFFERT 2,984,817

ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK Filed Jan. 27, 1959 mmf-gi m N lilium@17 ELECTRIC TERMWAL BLCK Hyman Zeiiert, Weyhridge, Surrey, England, assigner to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Limited, London, Eng

It is proposed by this invention to provide an improved constructional arrangement of electrical terminal block, the advantages of which will be apparent fro-rn the following description, such block consisting 'of an injection moulding of a dielectric material, comprising a base having integrally formed on the face thereof an outwardly projecting structure forming a row of cells separated from each other by partitions, each such cell being open on at least one lateral side, and each such cell accommodating a terminal binding post the end of which is moulded into the base.

The nature of the invention and the manner in which it is carried into effect are hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation of one form of terminal block constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof with the cover-plate partly broken away,

Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof, and

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

The terminal block illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, which is intended to be used for two parallel rows of terminals, disposed back to back comprises an injection moulding of a dielectric material, having a base on the upper face whereof are formed a series of spaced transverse upstanding partitions 11, 11, etc. which form between each adjacent pair a cell or compartment 12.

In each cell 12 there is provided an upright terminal binding post 13, preferably made of electro-tinned silicon bronze. Each such binding post 13 has a foot 131 which is embedded in the base 10, and the shank binding post is screw-threaded throughout its length and a nut 16 is provided so that a tag may be secured thereon in conventional fashion. The cells 12 are of suflicient depth to accommodate on each post 13 the superposed terminal tags of a plurality of conductors.

The dimensions of the partitions 11 by which the cells 12 are separated from each other are such that the terminal tags of conductors secured to two adjacent terminal posts 13 cannot be swung towards each other into contact. The outer edges of the partitions 11 are beaded at 111 to restrict the degree through which a terminal tag may be swung on a binding post, while also enhancing the rigidity of the material.

The resilience of the material of which the block is made ensures that the partition 11 Will not suffer damage by careless use of spanners or other tools used to tighten the nuts 16.

At each end of the base 10 is provided an aperturecl lug 17 made integrally therewith, being adapted to receive xing screws 18. If desired, said screws may incorporate upstanding pillars 19 upon which a cover-plate 20 may be secured by setscrews 21.

2,984,817 Patented May 16, 1961 To assist in distinguishing circuits of dierent voltage or phase, and between different systems, the blocks may be made in different colours, or different parts of the same block may be differently coloured. Further, the tops of the beads 111 of the partitions 11 may be marked with numerals as shown in Fig. 2 to assist in identifying individual terminal connections.

As will be seen there are two cells 12 between each adjacent pair of transverse partitions 11, separated by a longitudinal web 22 which extends throughout the length of the block, so that each cell 12 is open only on one lateral side. It will be seen that the fixing lugs 17 at the two ends are located in relatively olset arrangement, so that when a number of blocks are assembled end to end the xings lugs 17 may be nested one against the other, thus econoniizing in the space occupied by the blocks.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical terminal block of dielectric material comprising a base, spaced transverse upstanding projections integral with said base, a row of cells formed by said upstanding projections, each of such cells being open on at least one lateral side, terminal binding posts in said cells and adapted to have terminal tags secured thereto, said upstanding projections having beaded outer edges and being spaced to prevent adjacent terminal tags secured to adjacent terminal binding posts from making contact, and end attachment lugs arranged in staggered relation on opposite ends of said base whereby a second similar terminal block may be abutted in overlapping lug relation.

2. An electrical terminal block of dielectric material according to claim l, having two parallel rows of cells disposed back to back and separated by an upstanding web which extends longitudinally of the base, so that each cell is only open on one lateral side.

3. An electrical terminal block of dielectric material comprising a base, upstanding terminal binding posts arranged longitudinally to said base and secured therein, partition members integral with said base between said binding posts, said partition members extending laterally beyond said base and terminating in beaded edge portions, and attachment lugs integrally molded to said base at opposite ends thereof and offset in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis of said base.

4. An electrical terminal block of dielectric material according to claim 3, including an insulating cover plate bridging said partition members.

5. An electrical terminal block comprising a base, a pair of substantially parallel rows of upstanding terminal binding posts arranged longitudinally of said base and secured therein, upstanding partition means integral with said base and extending laterally beyond said base and terminating in beaded upstanding portions and attachment lugs integral with said base and arranged in otset relal tion at opposite ends thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

